Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
I got a package in the mail the other day. I immediately thought of DonS since he inquired of my street address a few weeks back. After shaking it and listening for any ticking sounds, I established that it was safe to open. It was Marvin Miller’s A Whole Different Ball Game: The Sport and … Continue reading “Package in the Mail”
I got a package in the mail the other day. I immediately thought of DonS since he inquired of my street address a few weeks back. After shaking it and listening for any ticking sounds, I established that it was safe to open.
It was Marvin Miller’s A Whole Different Ball Game: The Sport and Business of Baseball. This will be a great companion read to A Well Paid Slave, the book about Curt Flood that my wife got me for Christmas. I’m very much looking forward to reading it.
Thanks DonS!
During our interview with baseball-reference.com’s Sean Forman, we got talking about his Cup of Coffee feature. That lists all players who have played in exactly one game in the bigs. No one has hit a homer in their only appearance in the majors. However, some have made the most of their short time. John Paciorek … Continue reading “What does a guy have to do?”
During our interview with baseball-reference.com’s Sean Forman, we got talking about his Cup of Coffee feature. That lists all players who have played in exactly one game in the bigs.
No one has hit a homer in their only appearance in the majors. However, some have made the most of their short time. John Paciorek comes to mind. John had a pretty good game in his only MLB appearance in 1963.
John Paciorek’s linescore:
3 for 3, 4 runs, 3 rbis, 2 BB
There is actually a web page at astroland.net dedicated to John’s efforts. Which is probably good because stats tell only part of the story.
Paciorek had had problems with his back throughout 1963, and sometime during his 1964 season (spent at Durham and Statesville) had back surgery performed. He was inactive in ’65, then tried to come back in 1966. But bad back or no, it looks like Paciorek had a problem hitting for any kind of average, although the power seems to have been there.
Tom Paciorek was rumored to quip that John was the better player in the family.
The Cubs Caravan is on its way. The big talking point from Cubs management is that Prior is making good progress. Please, let’s not go down this road again. “Mark is up on the hill, throwing some bullpens and doing well,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday before boarding a bus with other players … Continue reading “More Cubs talk”
The Cubs Caravan is on its way. The big talking point from Cubs management is that Prior is making good progress. Please, let’s not go down this road again.
“Mark is up on the hill, throwing some bullpens and doing well,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday before boarding a bus with other players and staff for a trip to downstate Illinois.
He better not be throwing them too far.
Take a guess who’s working with Felix Pie on base running. None other than Bobby Dernier. Dernier spent 10 seasons in the MLB with the Phillies, Cubs and then the Phillies again. He hit only .255 with only 23 homeruns and 152 rbis but managed 218 stolen bases.
Finally, here’s a better list of those Cubbies (current and past) who will be at this weekend’s Cub convention.
If you’re a user of Baseball Reference, definitely check out this week’s episode of Baseball Zealot Radio. We interview Sean Forman the creator and maintainer of the baseball stats web site which will celebrate its seventh birthday next month.
Seems like I’ve been using it for that long. If you use it, I don’t need to tell you how good it is.
Anyway, Sean gives us a “behind-the-scenes” look at one of the most definitive stat web sites out there.
The official list of attendees was announced on Sunday for the Chicago Cubs convention being held this weekend. Who will be there? Anyone and everyone who is or was a Cub.
Except that one guy. He’s busy trying to get a job with the Rangers.
Which is too bad. I would have liked to see him there.
Interesting workshops being held, too:
Among the events on the schedule are seminars on Saturday and Sunday, including “Piniella 101,”
Do we all get our own base to practice with?
Too obscure??
Four Hall of Famers, Sandberg, Banks, Jenkins and Williams will be there plus Santo who should be in the HOF. I notice Bill Madlock and Andy Pafko are buried in the list. That’s exciting in my opinion.
Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis will get their first exposure to the Cub Nation. Good Luck.
Anyway, my train leaves Friday morning.
Dontrelle Willis has extended his contract with the Marlins for one year for $6.4 million. In this off-season with players, especially pitchers and especially left handed pitchers getting tens of millions for multi-year contracts, you have to think that Florida got a pretty sweet deal.
Dontrelle Willis has extended his contract with the Marlins for one year for $6.4 million.
In this off-season with players, especially pitchers and especially left handed pitchers getting tens of millions for multi-year contracts, you have to think that Florida got a pretty sweet deal.
Funny, just last night on Baseball Zealot Radio during our discussion of steriods, drugs and whatnot, we were talking about how “greenies” were common during the ’50s and 60s. Then we all reminded ourselves that they were still probably prevalent today. Leave it to Barry to prove that to us. Bonds has just failed an … Continue reading “More Excuses for Barry”
Funny, just last night on Baseball Zealot Radio during our discussion of steriods, drugs and whatnot, we were talking about how “greenies” were common during the ’50s and 60s. Then we all reminded ourselves that they were still probably prevalent today.
Leave it to Barry to prove that to us.
Bonds has just failed an amphetamine test. Not only that, he says it was probably something he took out of a bottle from teammate Mark Sweeney’s locker.
“When first informed of the positive test, Bonds attributed it to a substance he had taken from teammate Mark Sweeney’s locker, the New York City newspaper said, citing several unnamed sources.”
I don’t know why Bonds is taking pills out of lockers that aren’t his. Nor do I know why he his bringing up Sweeney’s name in the media. If he needs to talk about it, talk to Sweeney or the manager.
Excuses, excuses.
Baseball Zealot Radio put together a special show in response to the Hall of Fame selection. Hosts Tom and Todd bring in baseball history buff Chuck Lucas as guest host. We, of course talk about Ripken and Gwynn. But we also discuss those who didn’t, why and what their chances are in coming years. When … Continue reading “HOF is the topic of BZR”
Baseball Zealot Radio put together a special show in response to the Hall of Fame selection. Hosts Tom and Todd bring in baseball history buff Chuck Lucas as guest host. We, of course talk about Ripken and Gwynn.
But we also discuss those who didn’t, why and what their chances are in coming years.
When it comes to the baseball past, Lucas is second to none. We had a lot of fun doing the show. I hope you have fun listening to it.
Off-topic here: I need to be careful about chatting with these guys after we’re done recording the show. I ended up making a trade with Todd in our APBA league. I traded him Ray Durham for his 3rd round pick (It’s a continuous ownership league based on last year’s stats). I’m still happy with the deal. I’m hoping to pick up a young outfielder in our rookie draft in March with that pick.
Let’s hear it for Jay Buhner. He got one vote. Buhner never expected to be on the ballot let alone get any votes. He certainly had the right perspective on the whole matter:
“I didn’t even know I was on the ballot until someone sent it to me on an e-mail two weeks ago,” he said. “Truthfully, it’s flattering to be even mentioned with the names on there, for God’s sakes.”
The HOF voting can be found here.
Ripken’s 98.53% was the third highest in history and highest by position player. A lot has been made of this but I think the voting percentage issue has been overblown by the media.
Tony Gwynn wasn’t far behind with 97.6%. I’ve always felt Tony belonged but never saw him on the same level as Ripken. Then Teddy Ballgame pointed out to me that among those with 3000 hits, Gwynn has the 4th highest batting average. I have to admire the combination of longevity and statistical excellence.
Of course, Mark McGwire didn’t make it. I didn’t think he would. There are still those detractors out there who insist that despite the fact he was 17 homeruns shy of 600 and played on 12 All-Star teams, they voted purely on his stats. I call shenanigans. If you let the cloud of steroids affect your vote, just admit it.
Mac’s 23.5% will keep him on the ballot. The only other first-timer who will stay on will be Harold Baines who snuck by with 5.3.% of the vote.
Goose Gossage didn’t make it but I believe his 71.2% showing will bode well for a 2008 performance. It was a crowded field this year and his good showing now may pave the way for the Hall for the Goose in 08.
One more thing. All this talk about McGwire and alleged (let’s not forget nothing has been proved… yet) steroid use hurting his chances… who were the two jokers who voted for Ken Caminiti, a known, admitted user of steroids which more than likely contributed to his death?
…we’re not easy or anything. After a short hiatus for the holidays, we’re back. Catch our first 2007 episode with hosts Shawn and I. Shawn advises me on how to get close to the big guys at the Cubs Convention. Dubious methods, I can guarantee you. We have one last discussion about the Hall ballot … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio puts out (a show)”
…we’re not easy or anything.
After a short hiatus for the holidays, we’re back. Catch our first 2007 episode with hosts Shawn and I.
Shawn advises me on how to get close to the big guys at the Cubs Convention. Dubious methods, I can guarantee you.
We have one last discussion about the Hall ballot before it’s too late. Also, we take a good look at Randy Johnson and Barry Zito. Not too close of a look though. Have you seen the Unit’s face when he pitches?
Next week:
Next week, we’re planning an exciting show. Sean Forman, who maintains Baseball-Reference.com will be our guest. I personally am looking forward to that show. Stay tuned!